2016 AAAS Annual Meeting (February 11-15, 2016)

February 10 - 15, 2016

The Confluence of Computing and Society: Emerging Themes in Socio-Technical Systems

The growing global pervasiveness of computing technology in everyday life is forging new types of interactions between people, technology, and the physical world. With nearly half the world’s population now online, the opportunities to support and expand human activity by incorporating increasing computational capabilities are present at scales unimaginable just 10 years ago. This symposium examines new trends that illustrate the growing importance of socio-technical systems across the globe. Specifically, the panel examines ways that computers interacting with people will reshape healthcare, technology-for-development, and the physical tasks of everyday life. Healthcare increasingly relies on theories of social engagement and technology to connect patients and caregivers. In discussing technology-for-development projects, the panel uses technology's Law of Amplification to illustrate the idea that technology amplifies underlying human intent and capacity, and is remarkably consistent in predicting outcomes. Smart physical infrastructure systems also increasingly rely on models of trust and theories of human-computer interaction, at ever-increasing scales, from in-home assistance to collaboration on the manufacturing floor to transportation at city-wide scales. Speakers highlight new research questions that are emerging as computing technologies spread into the hands of nearly every individual around the globe, offering perspectives on future ideas and challenges for technology innovations at global societal scales.